Elegant and graceful, the Mansion at Judges Hill is a showcase hotel in the historic Wooten House in Austin. The hotel has been faithfully restored to its turn-of-the-century splendor, and it offers luxurious amenities, but there is a paradox at the heart of this boutique hotel, one that makes it one of best places to stay in or out of Austin.
The Mansion is elegant, but not aloof. This is a restoration of museum quality, but paradoxically there is nothing stuffy about it. You are not staring at museum pieces afraid to touch, but in a home that invites you to relax. The concern is for the comfort of the guests. The staff is attentive without hovering, energetic but laid-back.
The painstaking restoration has preserved, not just the beautiful interiors, but the surrounding gardens which bloom with mountain laurel, azaleas, japonica . In the wide courtyard at the center of the hotel, you can enjoy the shade of a tree while sipping a glass of wine from the restaurant's excellent wine list, or open your eyes with a cup of coffee in the morning. First and second floor verandas are wide and spacious offering a tranquil moment alone.
Part of the restoration's success lies in subtlety. It is not overdone. Though careful attention has been given to every surface, be it of wood or cloth, the emphasis is on comfort From the deep thick terry bathrobes, to the soft percale linens, the scented bath products from L'Occitane and Gilchrist & Soames, the hotel is geared toward relaxation. The down duvets and pillows are hypo-allergenic and invite rest. Each room has its own look and feel reflecting the personal care given to the decorating. Woods are rich and inviting, drapery thick to give a sense of being alone, carpeting plush and silent.
Should you be on a business trip, however, you will find a privately stocked honor bar, multi-line telephones, complimentary wireless and high-speed internet access. There is a fax/computer hookup or plain fax services.
The mansion was a wedding gift to Mr. Goodall Wooten, son of one of the founders of the University of Texas, ont he day of his marriage to Miss Ella Newsome. It was Mrs.Wooten who planted the gardens which then included an aviary of parakeets. The Mansion fell to disuse but was eventually converted to student housing for the University of Texas. It served as dormitory, a sorority house. Wooten House survived students and continued tits eclectic career later by becoming first a Christian meeting hall, later still a drug and alcohol rehab center.
It was Bill Gurascih who envisioned restoring this historical treasure to its original glory. What he created is a gift to Austin and to travelers who appreciate the details of the restoration, the fine restaurant now housed within, and the service and amenities of a luxury hotel that makes you at home.
The full-service dining room offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails daily, as well as Saturday and Sunday Brunch. The five-star chef creates miracles for every taste through his selection of imaginative and exciting blends of Modern and Classic Cuisines.
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